News
GE Aviation’s Alabama milestone: 30,000 additive fuel nozzles
AUBURN, Alabama — GE Aviation’s plant in Auburn achieved a milestone this week — the 30,000th additively-manufactured fuel nozzle tip “grew” on a 3D printer at the facility, the industry’s first site for mass production using the additive manufacturing process. Employees at GE Aviation in Auburn began producing the nozzle tip in 2015. More 3D printers…
Amazon kicks off construction of first Alabama fulfillment center
BESSEMER, Alabama — Internet retail giant Amazon officially kicked off a construction project today for a technologically advanced fulfillment center in Bessemer that will employ 1,500 workers once the sprawling facility is fully operational next year. Amazon’s 855,000-square-foot facility is being constructed on 133 acres of property formerly owned by U.S. Steel off Powder Plant…
Milestone: Toyota Alabama plant produces first next-gen engine
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Toyota’s Alabama plant produced its first next-generation 4-cylinder engine after a $106 million investment to prepare the Huntsville facility for advanced production. The milestone occurred this week, exactly one year after the automaker announced the investment in Alabama to build next-gen engines using a new approach called Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA).…
ULA selects Blue Origin engines for Vulcan rocket in boost for Alabama
United Launch Alliance announced today that it has selected Blue Origin’s BE-4 engine to power ULA’s next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket, a development that boosts to Alabama’s growing aerospace industry and extends the state’s leadership position in rocketry. ULA, which produces Atlas V and Delta IV rockets at a facility in Decatur, said the Blue Origin…
MTC Logistics to open $58 million distribution facility at Alabama port
MOBILE, Alabama – Baltimore, Maryland-based MTC Logistics announced plans to build a $58 million cold storage facility on property owned by the Alabama State Port Authority, creating between 50 and 70 jobs and providing a boost to the port’s container operations. Company officials said the 300,000-square-foot facility will be five stories tall and will contain…
Alabama trade mission seeks opportunities in Southeastern Europe
BUCHAREST, Romania — Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield is leading a team of state business leaders on a trade mission this week to Romania and Bulgaria, countries that offer new markets in Southeastern Europe and a potential gateway to opportunities in other regions. The multi-sector trade and business development mission kicks off today in Bucharest,…
Robotics Technology Park gets new leader to direct strategic upgrades
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – The Alabama Department of Commerce and AIDT announced today that Chuck Ernst, a former Honda manufacturing executive, has been appointed to lead Alabama Robotics Technology Park (RTP) as it embarks on a strategic plan to prepare the training facility for new technologies and additional capabilities. The goal of the “RTP 2.0” initiative…
Alabama jumps to No. 3 in ranking of ‘Top States for Business’
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Area Development, a national publication, ranked Alabama No. 3 in its 2018 “Top States for Business” survey and gave the state a shout-out for improved economic development policies. Alabama’s overall ranking in the Area Development survey improved three spots from 2017 and 2016. The state has placed in Top 10 of the…
Airbus kicks off construction on Flight Works Alabama education center
MOBILE, Alabama – Flight Works Alabama, a new aviation experience center near Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Mobile, is ready to begin its take off. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey joined Airbus executives, city and county leaders from Mobile, and industry and educational partners in breaking ground today for the hands-on instructional facility. In May 2017, Ivey announced…
Global Trade: Alabama ranks as top state for manufacturing
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Global Trade, a publication focusing on international business, has selected Alabama as the nation’s top state for manufacturing in a new ranking. Global Trade cited the growth of Alabama’s auto manufacturing industry and its leadership position in aerospace production, as well as job training provided by AIDT, the state’s primary workforce development…